Art Deco Meets Abstract Painting! “UNGA” Exhibition at UNWIND GALLERY
UNWIND GALLERY: A space where Art Deco charm meets contemporary Hokkaido art
UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, located in the historic port city of Otaru, Hokkaido, is a boutique hotel that breathes new life into the “former Etchuya Hotel.” Originally built in 1931 as Hokkaido’s first hotel exclusively for international guests, our property preserves its historical soul and architectural beauty while embracing a bold, modern sensibility.
In November 2022, we established UNWIND GALLERY as a dedicated space to share Hokkaido’s vibrant culture with the world. By hosting artists with deep ties to the region, the gallery transforms with each season, offering visitors a fresh perspective on local creativity.
Our gallery allows you to appreciate contemporary works within a dreamy setting that still echoes the Art Deco architectural beauty popular from the mid-1910s through the 1930s. To deepen the experience, we offer “Art Pairing Cocktails” that interpret the exhibition’s worldview through taste and scent, and all featured works are available for purchase.
Whether you are a staying guest, a local resident, or just a traveler passing through, we invite you to explore the gallery at your leisure. Admission is free and open to everyone. Whether it’s during a stroll through the city, after a day of work, or on a slow weekend afternoon, we hope you’ll find a moment to lose yourself in art within our magical halls.
About the Exhibition: SOU Solo Exhibition “UNGA – Colors in Memory –”
For our 15th project, we are proud to present “UNGA – Colors in Memory –” by SOU, a contemporary abstract artist based in Hokkaido.
SOU believes that the scenes that strike us during a journey or in our daily lives often linger in our hearts not as clear shapes, but as “fragments of color” where time and emotion overlap. Under the theme of these “memories of color,” the exhibition features a total of 20 abstract paintings—10 new works and 10 from previous collections—created using layers of acrylic, resin, and pigments.
The 10 new pieces were born from SOU’s own recent “memories” while exploring Otaru. These abstract works are inspired by the gentle ripples of the Otaru Canal, the shifting sea, and the city lights that twinkle as twilight turns to night. Whether you are visiting Otaru for the first time or have lived here for years, these works evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia.
While the white snow of Hokkaido lingers a bit longer, the days in Otaru are steadily growing brighter. We invite you to experience an early touch of spring through these colorful and evocative works of art.
A Message from the Artist
“The scenery we encounter on a journey often loses its shape by the time we return home, leaving only colors in our hearts. ‘UNGA – Colors in Memory –’ is an exhibition that scoops up those memories of color born within each person who visits Otaru. I would be delighted if you could overlay your own fragments of travel onto these works.”
Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition: SOU Solo Exhibition “UNGA – Colors in Memory –”
- Location: UNWIND GALLERY (1F, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU)
- Dates: March 1 (Sun) – May 31 (Sun), 2026
- Admission: Free
- The gallery is open to everyone, including locals and visitors (7:00 AM – 12:00 AM daily).
- Meet the Artist:
- March 10, 2026 (Tue) 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- March 28, 2026 (Sat) 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Additional dates will be announced on the hotel’s official Instagram.
Art Pairing Cocktails: Experience Art Through Taste and Scent
A unique feature of UNWIND GALLERY is how it integrates with Bar Ignis Otaru, our on-site lobby bar. To help you fully immerse yourself in the world of “UNGA – Colors in Memory –,” we are offering a limited-edition art cocktail inspired by the exhibition.
This cocktail features a base of “Kamikawa Taisetsu Tokubetsu Junmai Suisei,” a sake made with Hokkaido’s premium sake rice. It is blended with “Hinoho KIBOU,” a Hokkaido craft gin, and Blue Curacao. The result is a drink that offers the rich, mellow sweetness of sake followed by the refreshing acidity of passion fruit and citrus. Enjoy the botanical aromas and a smooth, fruity finish as you explore the art with all your senses.
Bar Ignis Otaru
- Location: 1F Lobby Bar, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
- Availability: March 1 (Sun) – May 31 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM (L.O. 11:00 PM)
Artist Profile: SOU
A contemporary abstract artist. SOU uses multiple materials—including acrylic, resin, and pigments—to explore themes of time, emotional fluctuations, and the layers of memory. Rather than depicting concrete landscapes or stories, the artist focuses on leaving “blank spaces” for viewers to evoke their own memories and sensations.
In recent years, SOU has expanded their reach internationally. 2026 is a milestone year, with an exhibition at an art expo in New York and a solo exhibition in France, where SOU will be the first Japanese artist to hold a solo show at a specific museum of contemporary art. Through their work, SOU continues to explore expressions that connect people and spaces, accompanying the quiet moments of stillness found in travel and daily life.
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Constructed in 1931 as the “former Etchuya Hotel,” this building was originally Hokkaido’s first hotel for international guests. It has lived through a rich history, serving as an officers’ club for the army during the war and later being requisitioned by U.S. forces. Designated as a historic building by Otaru City and one of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “33 Heritage Constellations of Industrial Modernization,” it has now been reborn.
While preserving its historical emotions and architectural beauty, the building underwent a bold renovation to become a boutique hotel expressed through a contemporary lens. Our mission is to protect what has been inherited from the past while creating a space for organic interaction between the local community and travelers. Experience a unique world of sensibility that goes beyond a standard classic hotel.
Facility Overview
- Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
- Address: 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Access: Approx. 35 minutes from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station via JR Hakodate Main Line, then a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station to the hotel.